2 minutes agoNorwegian soldier's story remained with mental problems after 2004 Kosovo riots
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)Terje Strat, former military in the state of Norway, has for the first time shown how the 2004 riots in Kosovo have left him with mental problems. March 17th 2004 would be a turning point in Terje Strat's life, when he served in the Norwegian contribution to the NATO Force in Kosovo. Three [...]
March 17th 2004 would be a turning point in Terje Strat's life, when he served in the Norwegian contribution to the NATO Force in Kosovo.
Three Albanian children drowned and violent riots erupted in the village of Caglavica, not far from Kosovo's capital, Pristina, where many Serbs lived, broadcast Periscopi.
Strat was a troop commander and expert in the mass service, which means he was trained hard for riots with large crowds. About 250 Norwegian soldiers ended up fighting closely with the crowd, which was estimated to be about 12,000 people. Some Norwegians were injured, one killed.
Even then, even for the years that followed, I have felt the answer I had for my soldiers. But, I'm proud of our” efforts, Strat said.
After the riots ended, Norwegian military man noticed that his condition was not the same. At first, a bump in the stomach and vomiting were symptoms that something was wrong. But the doctors found nothing. So he continued the officer's work.
He shows that after Kosovo he went on a mission to Afghanistan, where his mental situation deteriorated.
Mental disease got worse. After the last turn from Afghanistan, my body and head said stop. I felt that I could no longer be with many people. After Kosovo, I no longer wanted cadre responsibility and applied for positions that did not have this”, he said.
After leaving the army, he tried to requalify for various professions but without success. Strat was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress(PTSD).
Kosovo and what happened there laid the foundation for My PTSD, but it wouldn't have developed in the same way if I hadn't gone to Afghanistan”, Terje Strat says.
That peace was found in nature. He also made a new friend, a Huskey race dog. Terje Strat became so fond of life with a dog that he now has twenty... He has participated in several dog races, including the famous Femund contest. It has created a voluntary organization to help other veterans who are in trouble.
Norwegian military today has been honoured with a state medal for his contribution.
